Jingling dancing tap



Sept. 19, 1939. A. 1 soTHEN 2,173,599

JINGLING DANCING TAP Filed Aug. 29, 1958 4 5 @Mam Patented Sept. 19., 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

.10 therein, whereby the dancer is enabled to readily produce a strong and distinct jingling and tinkling sound.

Aother object of this invention is to provide a heel plate which comprises ridge means on the upper face forming a sound chamber therein and also comprises upstanding rib means forming recess means carrying cymbal means therein and having sound ports connecting Ythe recess means with said chamber; and wherein said rib means,

as well as the ridge means, functions in bearing under the heel, so as to prevent the heel bottom from sagging into the recess or into the chamber, and muflie or deaden the sound produced therein. Another object of this invention is to provide a .25 tap construction for producing a variety of jingling and rippling sounds, and this is preferably accomplished Iby providing peripheral ridge means on the top face of the plate forming a sound chamber therebetween, and also providing particular scallops or dents on the inner edge of said ridge means for effecting such sounds.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heel plate construction that is heavier at the rear end and is rounded or convex on the lower face forming a crowning center on the bottom of the tap, thereby assisting the dancer in always coming to a center balance.

A further object of this invention is to provide a heel plate containing in its upper face a sound chamber, and a companion sound recess carrying cymbal means therein and communicating thru sound ports with said chamber, and which furthermore has sound outlet ports extending from the recess thru the bottom of the plate, whereby to provide ample sound outlet means on the tap.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heel tap which comprises sound amplifying means in its upper face, and contains an upstanding ,50 flange encirciing the rear part of the heel, so

that in exhibitions of back cross-over steps lthe dancer is assured of a positive metallic clicking sound Vwhen contact is made `by the toe tap on one foot striking crosswise along the flange on .55 this heel tap on the other foot.

These and various other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein the invention is shown in several 5 preferred forms, it being understood that various other arrangements and forms of construction may be resorted to for carrying out the objects and purposes vof this invention.

In the drawing: Y 10 Fig. 1 is an invertedrplan view illustrating my invention in the form of a dancing tap attached to the heel part of a dancing shoe.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, showing a Vsectional view of the tap, taken on line 2 2 of l5 Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of this form of tap, taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view of this tap.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken 20 on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a modied form of heel tap, including the upstanding rear flange eiective in yback cross-over steps.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional View of this form, 25 taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is another modified form of heel tap.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of this form, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

The drawing illustrates this invention in a few so of its various forms of construction, which are particularly adapted for attachment vto the heel part of the dancing shoe. These heel taps preferably have their body portion made in one integral piece and constructed of light-weight, rust- `35 resisting metal, such as aluminum alloy, or the like.

The form of heel ltap disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, comprises a metallic body or plate portion Iii having a curved or convex lower face 0 providing a crowned or domed central portion II thereon, and it is curved or sloped upwards toward the edges. Counter-sunk openings I2 are provided adjacent the edges to receive fastening elements I3 for securing the tap under the heel i5 I4 of a dancing shoe I5. The rounded or crowned portion II is Ithus positioned centrally under the heel and assists the dancer in readily coming to a center balance with this tap; that is, it facilitates contacting the oor with said central crowned portion and guides the dancer into a balanced position on said central portion.

The upper face of the tap body I0 is provided with a peripheral ridge or ridge means I6 which extends marginally along the rear and the side parts of said body, and this ridge means is provided with well defined scallops or dents l1 on the inner edge. A sound chamber I8 is thus formed between said scalloped ridge means, and is provided with a sound outlet opening or port I9 at the front between the spaced forward edges of said ridge means.

Recess means 2l is provided on the upper face of the tap body, and in this form of tap it comprises a pair of recesses. These recesses are formed by means of two sets of arcuate rib means 22 arising from the top face of the tap, and thus providing circular seats or recesses wherein two sets of sounding elements 213 are located so as to have free movement vertically and laterally, each set of sound elements being in the form of a pair of superposed cymbals, which are preferably made of brass or some other suitable copper alloy. Sound outlet ports 24 extend thru the rib means, to connect the recesses with the sound chamber i8, while a front port 24' extends forward from the front recess, and an intermediate port 24" connects the two recesses.

As shown in this form of heel tap I also provide sound outlet ports 25 to extend laterally and entirely thru ridge means i6, so as to discharge the sound outward beyond the bottom of the shoe, and greatly aid the front port i9 in more distinctly emitting the sounds created in the recesses 2l and the chamber I8.

As best disclosed in Fig. 2, the arcuate rib means 22 as well as the ridge means I6 bear under the bottom of the heel i4, and said rib means thereby serve to support and hold up the center portion of the heel and prevent any sagging or dropping of the heel bottom into the recesses 2l or into the intermediate portion of the so-und chamber i8, which would restrict the recesses and the chamber and would produce muifling or deadening of the sounds created therein.

These arcuate rib means further serve to retain the cymbal means safely in the recesses, altho freely movable vertically and laterally therein, and these several cymbals create a combination of jingling sounds, while the various outlet ports 24 and Z, along with the front port i9, provide proper outlet means for fully emitv ting the Sound.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate this heel tap in a slightly modified form, which comprises a metallic body or plate portion 3i) having a curved lower face with a crowned or rounded central portion 3|, and being curved upward to the edge portions of the body, where openings 32 are provided for receiving suitable fastening elements to secure the tap underneath the heel of the dancing shoe.

The upper face of this tap body 3d is provided with marginal ridge means 36 extending along the rear and the side parts thereof, and this ridge means is provided with scallops or dents 37 on the inner edge. A sound chamber 38 is thereby `provided between said scalloped ridge means,

having a sound outlet opening or port 39 provided at the front thereof.

Recess means 4| is provided on the upper face of the tap, and this is formed by means of a set of arcuate rib means 42 arising from said face and forming a circular pocket or recess in this tap. Sounding means 43 is mounted therein. to have free movement vertically and laterally, and this means 43 is preferably in the form of a washer-like cymbal, of brass or the like. Sound outlet ports 44 are extended thru the rib means 42 to connect the recess with the main sound chamber 38.

In this form of tap a plurality of additional sound outlet ports 46 are furthermore provided and extend from the recess down thru the plate; and these bottom ports 46, along with the various ports 44, greatly aid the front outlet port 39 in fully and clearly emitting the sound produced in the recess and in the chamber. The ribmeans 42, like in the preceding form, engage under the heel bottom and serve to prevent the latter from sagging into the recess or into the sound chamber and restrict the same or muflie the sound therein.

This form of tap is illustrated as furthermore comprising an upstanding flange 4l at the rear portion of the tap, which snugly engages the rear portion of the heel and extends almost one half way forwardly and upwardly of the heel. This rear flange 4l is very essential in executing back cross-over steps; since this flange at the rear of the heel provides a very definite and disu tinct clicking sound in exhibitions of cross-overs, and it prevents the toe tap from striking the leather of the heel, which would prevent the clicking sound from registering; but this flange instead assures the dancer of a positive metallic clicking sound as he draws the toe tap of one foot crosswise along the heel tap of the other foot and contacts the toe tapv against this special flange 41 on the heel tap.

In the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the tap comprises a body 56 provided with a rounded lower face portion 5| which is curved upwardly at the edges and has openings 52 therein for receiving suitable fastening elements to secure the tap underneath the heel of a dancing shoe.

The upper face of this body i is provided with marginal ridge means 55 extending along the rear and side parts thereof, and scallops or dents 5l are provided on the inner edge of said ridge means. A sound chamber 58 is thereby provided between the scalloped ridge means, hav- .ing a sound outlet opening or port 59 at the front A.end thereof.

This form also includes recess means 6i in its -upper face, and this is provided by arcuate rib'- means 62, in the form of a pair of ribs which are curved forwardly from an enlarged and recessed rear part 56 of the ridge means, forming a circular recess therein. A sound outlet port 64 is provided between the front ends of the ribsf 62 for emitting the sound from recess 6i. The sounding means 63 in this form includes a washer-like cymbal element having movement freely vertically and laterally in recess t l, said element being of brass or the like, as in the preceding forms.

The ribs 2 serve to positively retain the cymbal 63 in position in recess Bi, and said ribs also function to engage the heel bottom and prevent it from sagging into the recess and into the sound chamber, while port 64 aids in emitting the sound from recess 6i in this form.

It is apparent from the above disclosure that in each of these forms the tap plate or body is provided with upper ridge means forming a sound chamber therebetween, and that distinct scallops or projecting elements are provided on the inner edge of said ridge means and extend into the sound chamber, in order to cause a variation of rippling and jingling sounds thereby. It is fur.l

ther apparent that the rib means are contained in each form and are arranged to provide the recess means for positively retaining the jingle elements in proper position, and that said rib means are provided with sound outlet ports for'v emitting the sound from the recess means; Iurthermore, that the rib means engages underneath of the intermediate part o1" the heel, so as to prevent any sagging of the heel bottom or restricting thereby of the recess or the sound chamber, and will thus avoid any muilling of the clear and distinct sound created by the cymbal elements.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the various novel features disclosed above have been developed thru years of actual practical experience in this dancing art, and are especially applicable to the new and ever changing dancing routines.

I claim:

1. A dancing tap comprising a metallic heel plate containing` peripheral ridge means on the rear and side portions of the upper face thereby forming a sound chamber therebetween having a sound outlet opening at the iront, arcuate rib means projecting from the upper face in said. chamber and forming recessed seat means therein provided with outlet ports connecting the seat means with the chamber, said rib means together with the ridge means bearing under the bottom of the heel and preventing the same from sagging into the seat means or chamber, and jingle means housed within said seat means and movable horizontally and vertically between said rib means, for creating strongly amplined jingling sounds.

2. A tap comprising a metallic heel plate including ridge means on its upper face containing scalloped inner edge means beveled on the inward edge, there being a sound chamber between said scalloped ridge means containing a sound outlet opening, jingle means in said chamber, and rib means in said chamber tting around said jingle means for retaining the same in position therein but provide free movement vertically and laterally, whereby to create a variety of greatly amplied jingling and rippling sounds.

3. A heel tap comprising a metallic platev adapted to cover the bottom of the heel and 'containing ridge means on its upper face providing a sound chamber having outlet means thereon, scallops on the inner edge of said ridge means providing a variety of jingling sounds, rib means arising from the plate in said chamber and forming recess means therein provided with outlet ports connecting said seat means with the chamber, jingle means freely movable within said recess means, and a ange arising from the rear part of the plate to encircle the rear portion of the heel, thereby assuring the dancer in exhibitions of back cross-over steps a positive contact on said rear ilange by the toe-tap on the other shoe for producing a positive metallic clicking sound.

4. A heel tap comprising a metallic plate arranged to cover the bottom of the heel and containing peripheral ridge means on the rear and side portions of the upper face thereby forming a sound chamber having an outlet opening at the front, scallops on the inner edge of said ridge means to vary the sound effect, rib means projecting above said upper face in the chamber and forming recess means therein and provided with outlet ports connecting the recess means with the chamber, said rib means together with said ridge means bearing under the bottom of the heel and preventing the same from sagging into or restricting the chamber and the recess means or muliling the sound created therein, and jingle means mounted in said recess means to be freely movable therein.

5. A heel tap comprising a metallic plate having means arising on the marginal portion of its upper face and providing a sound chamber therebetween having a front outlet opening, a plurality of sets of arcuate rib means arising from the intermediate part of said upper face, forming recess means in said chamber, cymbal means seated within said recess means to have free movement vertically and laterally therein between said rib means, sound outlet ports provided in said rib means, and other ports extended laterally thru said marginal means to the outer edge of the shoe bottom, to facilitate the free and complete emitting of the sound created in said recess means and chamber.

6. A dancing tap 'comprising a metallic heel plate containing ridge means on the rear and side portions of the upper face forming a sound chamber having an outlet opening at the front, rib means arising from the plate in said chamber and forming recessed seat means therebetween provided with ports connecting the latter with the chamber, jingle means housed within said seat means and movable freely between said rib means, for creating strongly ampliiied sounds, and a flange arising from the rear part of the plate to encircle the rear portion of the heel, thereby assuring the dancer in exhibitions of back cross-over steps a positive contact on said rear flange by the toe-tap on the other shoe for producing a positive metallic clicking sound.

7. A heel tap comprising a metallic plate adapted to cover the whole bottom of the heel and comprising peripheral ridge means on its upper face forming a sound chamber therebetween provided with an outlet opening, scalloped means on the inner edge of the ridge means, for providing a variety of sounds, rib means arising centrally of said chamber to the height of the ridge means and like it bearing against the bottom of the heel, said rib means providing a relatively deep recess and having sound ports to connect the recess and chamber, and cymbal means mounted in said recess, there being sound release ports extending from the recess thru the bottom of the plate, thereby insuring full and free release of the amplified sound thru the two sets of ports and the opening.

8. A heel tap 'comprising a metallic plate which has a relatively thick and broad ridge at the rear portion and has ridge means extending forwardly therefrom to the front end, a recess portion in the forward end of said rear ridge, and rib means curving forwardly therefrom and having an outlet opening between the forward ends, said rib means and recess portion providing a circular seat, and cymbal means mounted in said seat to move freely therein.

9. A dancing tap comprising a metallic body containing a crowning portion on the lower face and ridge means around the upper portion including scalloped inner edge means provided with a round chamber therebetween having a sound outlet at one end and also sound outlet ports extending laterally thru the ridge means, recess means in said chamber, located intermediate said ridge means, and sound producing elements mounted in said recess means, whereby to create a variety of jingling and tapping sound effects.

ALBERT L. SOTI-IEN.

. CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. Patent 2,175,599. september 19, 1959.-

ALBERT L. SOTHEN. y It is hereby certified tht error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered 'patent requiring correction as'followe: Page 5, second column, line l65, claim l9, for 'the wordt "round" read soundg and that the sai@ Letters. Patent should be read with this correction therein tht the ame may' conform to the record of the case in the 'Patent Office.

signed and sealed this7th day of November, A. D. 1959.

Henry- Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of' Patents. 

